The Party Of Smaller Government
Filed under: Politics
Yet again, a republican has decided that the government knows best and MUST step as something must be done.
The high price of gasoline may mean that Congress will now tell you to slow down. Republican Senator John Warner of Virgina has asked Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman to calculate what speed would provide optimum gasoline efficiency under current technology.
In a letter to Bodman, Warner cited studies that show the 55-mile per hour national speed limit saved 167-thousand barrels of oil a day — after it was imposed by Congress in 1974 because of the Arab oil embargo. That speed limit was repealed in 1995.
The letter read “one could assume that the amount of fuel that could be conserved today is far greater.”
I love how the first response of a “republican” is to involve the government in “fixing” a problem. Listen up John, we do not need your help. If congress did less, the country would be better off in the long run.
I also love how this guy’s first impulse is to restrict what people can do. And here I thought republicans were for smaller and less intrusive government. Instead we have an “influential” republican publicly stating that the government should not only do something, but do something that would restrict what people in this country can do.
Hey, if people want to drive 55 now, nothing is stopping them. They can go right ahead and do that now. People don’t need a politician to tell them what they can or can’t do. If they want to save money, they will slow down and get better gas mileage.
And from the trucks that keep passing me doing 75, I’m guessing a lot of people don’t mind paying the higher prices for gasoline. I guess if Mr Warner actually got out and met with people he’d know that. But I’m sure it must be so tough getting out of the office doing such important work for the people in this country.
Sphere: Related Content
July 9th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Just think of the speeding tickets the police would be able to write when they catch someone driving 80. More income for the state!
I think self-regulation is best, I have noticed speeds have decreased on the Everett Turnpike as I head down to Massachusetts every morning.
What would really help is either 4 day work weeks or work from home policies. I sit in front of a computer all day, whether I do this in my home or in my office it doesn’t matter, I still get my work done. But I don’t think the government should be regualting this I think it should be up to the employers. Working from home 1 day a week would cut my gas consumption by 16% a week. Multiply that by the millions of people in this country that could do the same thing… the savings would be enourmous.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:53 am
I sit in front of a computer all day too and would love to either work from home a few days a week or work a four day week. I’d do that in a heart beat if my employer offered it.
I know that Concord NH has decided to move it’s DPW crews to a four day work week to try and save on their gas costs and I think it’s a good idea.
And, no one had to pass a law for the city to do it too. I know, what a shocker.